Farming and Forestry
The Farm
Forty years ago there were nearly 30 separate small holdings which, over the years, have been amalgamated amongst the tenant farmers or taken over by the “in hand” farming operation run by the family. The family farm has a suckler herd of 170 cows served by Limousin, Simmental and Aberdeen Angus bulls, producing award winning beef calves which are either finished on the farm or sold as store cattle.
We also grow spring barley aimed for the malting market. Sheep graze the stubble during the winter. All winter feed, grown on the farm, is usually sufficient to feed a total headage of about 450 cattle at peak times. Because of the climate, cattle have to be fed seven months of the year, before being turned out to the grass in May.
Forestry
The Estate suffered on account of the compulsory wartime fellings and fellings to meet Estate Duty before the war, but a large area has now been replanted to restore the forest cover. It is mostly stocked with Scots Pine of Glen Tanar origin. Additional natural woodland has been encouraged and represents the most easterly genuine ancient native pinewood in Scotland. There are many other small mixed woodlands on the Estate which are managed for amenity, shelter and game protection.